A weekend in Southwold

A genteel seaside town with a lighthouse, a pier and a famous brewery

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Southwold is an elegant, old-fashioned seaside town on the Suffolk coast, with a white lighthouse in the middle of the town, a pier, colourful beach huts and a sandy beach. It is far quieter and more refined than most seaside resorts.

The town is home to Adnams, a well-known brewery and distillery, and a rowing boat ferry crosses the River Blyth to nearby Walberswick.

Best forBeach days, Food lovers, History lovers, Dog owners

Best time to goMay to September for the beach and pier. Spring and autumn are quieter, and winter walks are bracing.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting thereNorwich: About 1 hour by car.

Check prices for a weekend in Southwold

Plan your weekend in Southwold

Top attractions in Southwold

Southwold Lighthouse

A white lighthouse standing in the middle of the town, open for tours.

Southwold Pier

A modern pier with amusements, a cafe and quirky water-powered machines.

The beach huts

A long row of brightly painted beach huts along the promenade.

The Adnams brewery and distillery

Tours, tastings and a shop in the heart of town.

The Walberswick ferry

A traditional rowing boat that carries passengers across the river.

Best things to do in Southwold

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

A day at Holkham Beach

Holkham Beach is one of the largest and most beautiful beaches in England, a vast sweep of sand backed by dunes and pine woods within a national nature reserve. Allow a half day to a full day.

Blakeney Point seal trip

Blakeney Point is a long sand and shingle spit on the north Norfolk coast, and a nature reserve with large colonies of grey and common seals. Allow about 1 to 2 hours.

Oysters in Whitstable

Whitstable has been known for its oysters for centuries, and the town's harbour and seafront are full of seafood restaurants and stalls. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Best areas to stay in Southwold

The town centre

Walkable to the shops, pier and beach.

The seafront

Sea views and beach huts.

Walberswick

A quieter village across the river.

Best hotels in Southwold

Prices for a double room in Southwold typically fall around £130–£220 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Southwold

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Southwold

May to September for the beach and pier. Spring and autumn are quieter, and winter walks are bracing.

Seasons that suit Southwold well: summer, spring, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Southwold

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Southwold

From Norwich: About 1 hour by car.
From London: About 2 hours 45 minutes by car. The nearest station is Halesworth, then a bus.
From Cambridge: About 1 hour 45 minutes by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Southwold

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in The town centre.
Saturday: Start with Southwold Lighthouse, then Southwold Pier. In the afternoon, head to The beach huts.
Sunday: Visit The Adnams brewery and distillery or The Walberswick ferry, then head home.